Running-board saddle



I B. F. ROWLEY RUNNING BOARD SADDLE glwumtoz Patented Dec. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT 'oFFic BENJAMIN F. ROWLEY, 0F JACKSON, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO WALTER J. ALLEN AND ONE-THIRD TO TRAVIS L. BISHOP, BGTH 0F JACKSON,

TENNESSEE.

RUNNING-BOARD SADDLE.

Application filed June 29, 1927 Serial No 202,329.

This invention relates to the means for mounting the running boards or platforms upon the roofs of box cars. Difiiculty has been experienced heretofore in devising means for firmly securing the running boards in position upon the roofs of box freight cars and maintaining the same and their supports against deterioration. The object of the present invention is to provide an inexpeir sive durable and eflicient device whereby the running boards may be quickly and firmly secured in place. The object of the invention is attained in such a device as is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and the invention resides in certain novel features which will be hereinafter first fully described and then more particularly pointed out. in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved saddle showing the ends of running boards in position thereon with a portion of, the car roof in transverse section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the saddle with the clamping jaws mounted thereon;

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail perspective views of the clamping jaws, and

Fig. 5 is an end elevation.

In carrying out the present invention, there is provided a blocker body 1 which may conveniently be cast metal and has its under side inclined upwardly from its ends towards its center so as to fit close to the car roof, indicated at 2. At the center of the block or body 1, an opening 3 is formed vertically therethrough to receive a securing bolt 4 which is inserted downwardly through the said opening through the car roof and through the ridge beam 5 of the car roof, a nut 6 being mounted upon the lower end of the bolt and turned home against. the ridge beam so that the saddle will be firmly secured to i the roof by a single bolt. It is to be noted that a recess 7 is formed at the upper end of the opening 3 to accommodate the head of the bolt so that the required clamping action will be attained and the bolt will beheld against turning while the nut 6 is being driven home. Inasmuch as the under side of the saddle conforms to the car roof, twisting of the saddle upon the roof will be pre vented and a single bolt will serve effectually to secure the saddle in place. Extending inwardly from each end of the saddle toward its upper edge, when the the center thereof and terminating near the center is a channel 8 which has the cross Y sectional contour of an inverted T, over hanging flanges or ribs 9 being thereby produced upon the side walls of the channel. Near the outer end of each channel, lateral recesses or offsets 10 are formed in the side Walls of the channel and the edges of the ribs 9 to accommodate the fiat sided head 11 of an attaching bolt 12 which extends through the channel and beyond the open outer end thereof, as shown clearly in the drawing, and

to facilitate the placing of these bolts the ribs or flanges 9 may be reducedorcu-t away, as shown at 13, at their outer end portions. To hold the running boards 1-1 in place, clamping jaws are provided, theconstruction of these jaws being clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The inner jaws 15 each comprises a base portionltl of inverted T shape and of proper dimensions to fit easily and slida'bly within the channels 8, the stem 17 of the base extending longitudinally thereof and being adapted to fit between the overhanging flanges or ribs 9 in an obvious manner and as will be understood on reference to Fig. 5. The stein 17 is of such height that jaw is in place, will be flush with the upper surfaces of the ribs 9 and the saddle and upon the said stem is a head 18 whichis disposed transversely to the stem and the base and projects beyond the sides thereof so as to overlap and rest upon the ribs or flanges 9. The heads i of, the heads 18 resting upon the top surface of the saddle and the flat sides of the bases holding the jaws against relative turning movement.

The intermediate running board 14 is, of course, engaged between the two inner jaws and the outer running boards are placed againstthe outer sides of the inner jaws.

The outer clamping aws 21 are provided one at each end of the saddle and have openings 22 through their bases 23 through which the securing bolts 12 project, the outer surfaces of the outer clamping jaws being disposed each in one'single vertical plane so that a firm seating forthe securing nuts 2st will be provided, and it will be understood that when the said nuts 24 are turned home against the jaws 21 the jaws will be shifted inwardly along the bolts and in the channels of the relative turning thereby in the same manner that the inner jaws are held. The outer jaws are also formed with heads disposed transversely of the basal stems and having ribs or flanges 26 on their inner faces at their tops to effect overhanging engagement with the respectively ad acent running board.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing,

it will be seen that I have provided an exceedingly simple device whereby running boards may be easily and firmly secured in place, and it will be noted that should any one run- .ning board be broken it is not necessary to remove the entire device in order to make repairs inasmuch as by loosening one or the other securing nut 24 one outer jaw may be withdrawn sufficiently to permit removal of the broken board and the substitution of a new board therefor, the nut being then again turned home after the substitution has been effected.

Having thus claim: 7

1. Means for securing running boards con1- prising a body conforming to a car roof and adapted to be secured thereto and provided in its upper. portion with channels opening through'its ends and extending inwardly therefrom and terminating short of the center thereof, jaws slidably seated in said described. the invention, I

channels and provided with transverse heads resting upon the top surface of the body, and securing devices anchored in the body adjacent the respective outer ends thereof and engaging with the outer jaws whereby to clamp all the jaws and the running boards firmly together.

2. Means for securing running boards comprising a saddle having channels in its upper portion extending longitudinally thereof and opening through its ends and provided with transverse recesses in the sides of the channels adjacent the outer ends thereof, clamping jaws slidably engagedin said channels, the outer jaws having openings extending through their base portions, fastening bolts having heads engaged in said recesses in the saddle and extending through the openings in the outer jaws, and-securing devices engaged with. theouter ends of the securing bolts and bearing against the outer sides of the outer jaws.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

BENJAMIN F. ROWLEY. [n 3. 

